Manchester City will meet Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup final this evening, with the two city rivals competing for the most prestigious prize in English youth football. City, who have won the competition twice since 2020, enter the match after topping the U18 Premier League North, finishing four points ahead of their opponents. United, managed by Darren Fletcher, finished second in the league but aim to secure their 12th Youth Cup title in what is the first Manchester derby final since 1986, when City triumphed 3-1 over two legs.
When and where is the FA Youth Cup final?
The match between Manchester City and Manchester United is scheduled to kick off at 7pm BST on Thursday, 14 May at the Joie Stadium in Manchester.
How to watch the FA Youth Cup final on TV and live stream
The game will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 6.30pm. Subscribers can also watch via the discovery+ app. Additionally, BBC Sport will provide a live stream on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
Players to watch in the Youth Cup final
A Youth Cup final always showcases emerging talent, and many will watch in anticipation of seeing some of England's finest young players. In 2022, when Manchester United last won the tournament, participants included Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. When City won in 2020, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Tino Livramento, and Levi Colwill all featured in the final. This year, City topped the U18 Premier League North, four points ahead of United, and several standout players could take the field at the Joie Stadium.
For the hosts, 16-year-old striker Teddie Lamb was the top scorer in the U18 Premier League with 25 goals in his debut season. Winger Ryan McAidoo has already made two senior appearances for City, while Reigan Heskey, son of former England striker Emile, has also impressed this season. For United, 15-year-old JJ Gabriel is the headline talent, having been called up to first-team training despite being too young for Premier League action. High hopes surround 17-year-old forward Noah Ajayi, while Amir Ibragimov, recently called up to the senior Russia squad, could feature alongside Godwill Kukonki and Chido Obi, both of whom have been part of the senior squad previously.
Predicted line-ups
Manchester City XI: Hudson; Headley, Drake, Braithwaite, Tevenan, Miles, McAidoo, Samba, Lamb, Samba, Heskey.
Manchester United XI: Byrne-Hughes; Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki; McCormack, Thwaites; Brown, Gabriel, Ajayi; Obi.
